Seniors pave the way for wrestling team’s 49-0 shutout win over Manchester
The Olivet College wrestling team has 11 seniors on its roster, 10 stepped on the mat for the final time at The Cutler Event Center tonight and helped the Comets shutout Manchester (Ind.) University, 49-0.
OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College wrestling team has 11 seniors on its roster, 10 stepped on the mat for the final time at The Cutler Event Center tonight and helped the Comets shutout Manchester (Ind.) University, 49-0. The Comets, ranked No. 4 in the most recent National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, scored bonus points in 7-of-10 bouts.
At 125 pounds, Robbie Bidlingmaier (Chesterfield Township/Anchor Bay) got the match started with a pin only one minute into the opening period. Henry McKeown (Bellevue/Olivet) used a strong second and third periods to win 13-6 at 133 pounds. Justin Holm (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) blanked his opponent, 12-0, at 141 pounds.
At 149 pounds, Gage Pederson (Hastings) posted a first-period pin at 56 seconds. Jeremy Ward (Washington Twp./Romeo) received a forfeit victory at 157 pounds. Rocky Cantu (Rives Junction/Jackson Northwest) used a reversal and three-point near fall combination in the first period to win 8-7 at 165 pounds.
Preston Treend (Casco/Richmond) picked-up a forfeit win at 174 pounds. Connor Sharp (Schoolcraft) got a takedown before putting his opponent on his back for a fall at 2:23 of the 184-pound bout.
Jeff Holm (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) also recorded a forfeit win. Andrew Simpson (Tecumseh) scored an escape point to start the second period, a reversal early in the third period and rode his opponent out for the remainder of the 285-pound match to win 4-0.
The Comets travel to East Lansing to wrestle Michigan State University next Friday, Feb. 14. Action from inside Jenison Fieldhouse starts at noon.